The decision by the Queensland State Government to lock down Cairns for three days from 4pm last Sunday following a single Covid-19 case, has some businesses and tourism leaders questioning if this was ‘alarmist’.

And there are now fears that if the border closures continue, and more cases emerge in the Far North, Port Douglas will become a ghost town.

Tara Bennett, CEO of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) said the Cairns lockdown has effectively cut Douglas off from the rest of Australia.

“Visitation has come to a standstill, and while we may not be in lock down, almost every market is locked out, and the few who were looking to fly in and transfer direct to the destination, have limited options in how they will travel here,” she said.

Nicola Hood, owner of Macrossan Street-based Ngarru Gallery, who showcase high-end indigenous art, said she was fearful Port Douglas could become a ghost town if circumstances did not improve and questioned the government’s handling of the lock down decision.

“Although I agreed with the lockdown as we cannot afford any cases in Port Douglas, the state government should have had a plan in place and liaised with the police before blocking the highway.

“They should have considered all the exit points out of Cairns,” she said.

Questioned if he thought the Cairns lock down was alarmist, Tony Fyfe, CEO of Hemingway’s Brewery in Port Douglas and Cairns, responded with “slightly”.

With both his outlets closed – the brewery itself is operational – Fyfe said his revenue stream had been hard hit and said we could be in and out of lockdowns until Christmas.

Despite the state government extending eligibility for the $5,000 COVID-19 Business Support Grants, Fyfe said this does not even cover his wages.

Too many holes

“I just feel there are too many holes and I am questioning if there was in fact a case in Cairns. I think we have been both wound and shaken up,” said Fyfe.

Tony Baker, managing director of Quicksilver, Australia’s most awarded reef cruise company, said he has felt the impact of the Cairns lockdown.

“Although we are still operating in Port Douglas, we have had to shut down our Cairns operation until the lock down is over.

“We are also not operating some of our tours: Great Adventures, Pro Dive Cairns and Green Island Resort,” said Baker.    

Although he did not support the alarmist theory, Baker said the government had a case and fortunately there was just the single positive test.

Baker is joined by others who believe that more financial support is required from government, for businesses and staff.

In stating that you cannot plan for lock downs, Fyfe said that with Jobkeeper ending, there is no support and businesses are going to fall over.

In defending the Cairns lock down, Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said we are not yet out of the danger zone.

Risk

“The risk is still out there and we have to hope that this inconvenience will stop the spread of this virus and we must be patient.   

“Although a scary thought, but if the current situation, persists there is every possibility of Port Douglas becoming a ghost town,” said Kerr. 

Kerr said if you don’t need to travel around Douglas, don’t. “If you are able to work at home, please do. If concerned where a mask, it’s our new best friend.”

Meanwhile, and as Cairns entered its second lock down day, long queues formed at local testing sites as the city rushed to try and contain potential spread of Covid-19 after a taxi driver was found to be infectious in the community for 10 days.

No new cases have been reported in Cairns and yesterday Queensland reported just four new cases. Case numbers over the next few days will help establish if there has been widespread transmission of the virus in the popular tourist destination.

Ms Bennett, meanwhile, said the recently announced package valued at over $70 million by the state government will provide some relief to certain sectors though more support is desperately needed for the immediate cash crisis being faced by businesses in the Douglas Shire.

“TPDD is adding its voice to lobbying by Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and industry calling for immediate support for tourism in the form of access to direct business and wage support to sustain operations and maintain staff engagement plus the reintroduction of the flexibility provisions in the Fair Work Act that were put in place for employers during the JobKeeper period.

“We will continue to elevate the situation in Douglas at the state and federal level to ensure our needs are heard,” she said.   

FURTHER READING: Douglas Chamber digs in to help shire businesses